Data processing consulting for the Niger range livestock project; final report

In addition to the development of an integrated data processing system, 12 programs were written to analyze health and nutrition data. However, assistance to livestock market research was limited to organizing data for computer entry due to insufficient time. The survey of needs and capacities revealed that 20,000 documents (650,000 line items) had been recorded in the socioeconomic data collection; and 4-6 months will be needed to input this information. The AGRHYMET computer is the best choice for processing this data. In order to have results by 2/82, an analysis program should be run and transferred to coding sheets. Two documents - a users"s manual and a project planner"s manual - were prepared to explain this system. The consultant notes that, at the project"s outset, a consultant should have been retained, data processing operations planned,and the system"s parameters defined. Belatedly, an organizational network must now be setup and a coordinator retained to handle the flow of data. There is also a need for more diskettes; a project programmer to continue developing analysis programs for the Household Data System; a data entry supervisor; and the resolution of data coding errors. Finally, USAID/N should assist personal service contractors with contract related adminstrative matters so that contractors might devote full attention to the project.